The Real Leader in Kashmir

In the early 90’s, our valley was in total control of Militant outfits and their commanders who were trying to occupy political space by projecting leaders of their choice as all the pro freedom leaders of the state, including Syed Ali Geelani were under arrest. In 1992, World Kashmir Freedom Movement (WKFM) – A London based organisation working for the cause of Aazadi decided to print some ten lakh photographs and posters of the present top most Resistance leader of Kashmir- Syed Ali Geelani for free distribution in every house hold of Kashmir. The idea was given by Late Dr.AyoubThukurwho was then heading the organisation. The aim was to project Geelanias a leader and help him emerge as a popular political voice of Kashmir. Dr Ayoub while talking to a friend said, “Publicity and advertising does not make one a leader. It is rather commitment, dedication and determination that count at the end of the day.” Dr Ayoub believed that Mr Geelani shared all these qualities and thus wanted to help him become the voice of the people.

Similarly other resistance and militant outfits also declared their leaders. AL Jihad declared Shabir Shah as their leader, JKLF was projecting Yasin Malik and Javid Mir as their leaders, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was the choice of Al Umar, IkhwanulMuslimean declared MolviAbas Ansari as their leader, Muslim Mujahideen declared Prof GaniBhat as their leader and Syed Ali Geelani was declared a leader by Hizbul Mujahedeen. It was Hizbul Mujahedeen who gave him the title of “Qaid-E-Inqilab” (Leader of the revolution). Twenty-four years down the line, Qaid-E-Inqilab, Syed Ali Geelani has emerged as the strongest political voice in Jammu and Kashmir, not because he remains in the headlines of the news channels, papers and online portals all the time but because he is committed, dedicated and determined in his cause. One may differ with him but one definitely can’t ignore him. Even the police, intelligence, policy makers and government officers of India secretly admit that while they were able to coax and convince other resistance leaders to soften their stand, they completely failed to do so in Syed Ali Geelani’s Case.

In Kashmir’s so-called mainstream politics, before every election, a lot of money is spent of campaigns and popularising of the contestants. Omar Abdullah was projected as ‘young’ and ‘Energetic’ while Mehbooba was addressed as the ‘Pain healer’.  It even goes to an extent where some editors of the local dailies complain that pressure is applied on them to cover some particular politicians extensively during their election campaigning. They even allege that at times they are told to do so at the cost of other important news items. “If we refuse to fall in line, they threaten us with a cut in our share of government advertisements”, says one of the editors. However remaining in the front pages of the newspapers does not make you a leader. There are many political leaders who despite being in the news all the time, have completely failed to win over the hearts of the people. The Current Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti is latest to join this charade.

Ms Mufti in an interview to a national TV correspondent in July said, “Those who call upon the youth of the state to join the struggle have admitted their wards in various top universities and colleges outside the state and the country.”  However the poor lady seems quite misinformed. First of all, the top 3 leaders she is referring to don’t have any children studying outside the state or the country currently. Syed Ali Geelani’s daughter, who lives in Saudi Arabia, lives there with her in-laws and the decision of residing outside the country is of the family’s in which she is married and not her father’s. MirwaizUmar Farooq has two daughters, both under the age of 10 and both are studying in the International School of Kashmir which is in Baghat Srinagar. Yasin malik has one daughter who is yet to be admitted in a school as she is below 5 years of age.  Apart from these top leaders, some second line leaders do have their wards studying outside the state and the country but before pointing fingers, one should try to understand the miseries these people face on a daily basis. With a husband in prison and a son studying outside just for his safe keeping,Aasiya Andrabi, the chairperson of Dakhtarain e Millet’s lives a pretty though life along with her younger son. Raising 2 kids alone and fighting for Azaadi isn’t easy. No one can and should default a parent for looking after the best interests of his or her children. Every parent has a right to educate their children wherever and however they see fit. One should know that India’s first Prime Minister, Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, son of congress leader and two times president of Indian National Congress, Mr MotiLal Nehru, was studying in London but nobody questioned the moral authority of Mr MotiLal Nehru, to lead the freedom struggle of India.  Even when Mr Jawaharlal Nehru sent his daughter to England for higher education, the people of India did not oppose his leadership or blame him of misleading the people when he called upon thousands of Indians to join the freedom struggle. M. K. Gandhi too studied law in South Africa and Indira Gandhi also did her schooling from oxford. In the Islamic World, Martyr Dr Mustafa Chamran, the ex-defence minister of Iran and Member of Parliament studied in USA for 14 years. He did his M.E degree in electrical engineering and then completed his Ph. D from the University of California. He founded the Islamic students union for the first time in USA and even sacrificed high paying job opportunities to work for the betterment and benevolence of the deprived, downtrodden and destitute people of Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt and Iran etc.

Yasin Malik, the Chairman of JKLF  was a capable and a courageous rebel but he decided to give up the gun after learning about Gandhi’s stance on non-violence. More than two decades have passed since Malik joined the resistance camp and his hard work and dedication have helped in bringing the Kashmir issue to the notice of the entire world. There are any othersbesides him who have also dedicated their entire lives for the cause of Azaadi. These include Mr Ashraf Sehrai-the lion of freedom struggle, Mr MasratAala- the Nilson Mandela of Kashmir, Mr Shabir Shah- The visionary in APHC, Er. Hilal War-prisoner No. 100, Ms AnjumZamarud Habib- The iron lady, Ms ParveenaAhangerand hundreds of others who have given their all to the freedom struggle. When a person decides to lead a group of people or a nation, it isn’t obligatory for their entire family to work for the same cause. Every person has different beliefs and is only responsible for himself or herself. You can’t fault a good man because his son turned out to be bad or you can’t fault a mother for a daughter who doesn’t believe in the same principles as the mother.

Publicity and advertising does not make one a leader. It is rather commitment, dedication and determination that count at the end of the day.

Another thing that is constantly used by the critics to demean our Pro Freedom Leadership are their travel documentsandthe fact that it is the government which provides them security. First let me clear the confusion about providing security to the pro freedom leadership. Most resistance leaders who have been provided security are religious clerks. They have been given a security cover only because in the past we have witnessed the killing of religious clerks like MirwaizMolvi Farooq, QaziNisar, MolviShowkat etc. Considering that every person be it a commoner or a political leader has a right to live, it becomes the duty of the occupier to safeguard them in view of any threats. Yet, as per reports published in a local newspaper, many of them have already requested and even sent formal requests to the authorities for removal of their security.

On the issue oftraveling on Indian state issued documents, it is important to know that every citizen is promised personal liberty by the Constitution and that includes the Pro freedom leaders. One should know that during the freedom struggle of India, Indian freedom fighters too used to travel on British documents. Alsoissuing a passport isn’t a luxury or a kind favour by the Indian state,it is a right of an individual granted to him or her bythe constitution and the international covenants. Yet our top three resistance leaders continue to be deprived of this very right.

Before 2014 assembly elections, Mr Omar Abdullah in an interview on national TV said, “They (Pro Freedom Leaders) should not wait for an invitation from new Delhi. If they have issues, they should go and raise them.” On 27^th of August after her meeting with the Indian PM on the current turmoil in the valley, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of J&K, while interacting with the media said “New Delhi should engage Pro Freedom leadership in a meaningful dialogue process for the peaceful resolution of the long pending dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.” Yet, such dialogues have proven to be futile in the past which is why the pro freedom leadership have made it clear that unless and until India doesn’t stop labelling the atrocities happening in Kashmiras its internal issue and accept J&K as an ‘international issue’, they will not participate in any kind of Dialogue. Dialogue is surely the only way out but it must be credible and honest and tripartite in our case. Until Pakistan and the pro freedom camp are not taken on board, dialogue will be meaningless.

Some among the so-called mainstream leaders also believe that the current agitation is leaderless but they should make an effort to read the writing on the wall. People from the mountains of Ladakh to the meadows of Kashmir are united right now. Even people in the remoteparts of Guraizare following the Pro Freedom Leaderships’ calendars since last two months and yet the government chooses to believe that the present unrest is leaderless. Not only mainstream leaders but the police and military officials too have made it clear that only talks with the ‘Resistance camp’ can help restore peace in the valley. Even after saying no to talks with the APD,the APD members still believe that peace lies in talks with the resistance camp. One should also know that after turning them blind with pellets, Student bodies, civil societies and Youth forums still maintain that only the Resistance camp can represent the real aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and even after suffering a loss of more than 6000 crores, the traders Union of Kashmir including KCC (Kashmir chamber of commerce) and KMTA (Kashmir manufactures and traders Association), still believe and support the resistance camp whole heartedly. Need anyone say more for people to understand who the real leader in Kashmir is?

“There is some mystery in the background

That I have become a rival and competitor

For the waves of ocean,

Otherwise, I am aware

That safety lies within the boundaries.”

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